“Doc” Phillips honored for 50 years of Kiwanis service When Dr. Lloyd K. Phillips moved to Oskaloosa to begin his optometry practice, he didn’t waste any time getting involved with the community. On September 16, 1963 he became a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oskaloosa, an organization dedicated to serving the children of the world. Fifty years later, he still regularly attends meetings and participates in service and fundraising activities. Phillips served as president of the club in 1972-73 and on dozens of committees over the years. He invited others to join the Kiwanis effort to help children, not only on a local level but also worldwide. Twenty years ago, Kiwanians in thousands of clubs around the globe joined forces with UNICEF to tackle iodine deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century. Now they are eliminating MNT (Maternal and Neo-natal Tetanus) by immunizing 100 million mothers in 28 developing countries. Phillips and his fellow club members have been active in their contributions to the international efforts. Locally the club supports programs for children, including literacy, recreation, theatre and health. Two Kiwanis youth clubs have been formed in the past year to provide opportunities for leadership development and community service for youth ages 11 to 18. The club also is operating a year-round food drive through the red barrels seen in local grocery stores. While serving in Kiwanis, Phillips has also volunteered with other community agencies and city boards. He is affectionately known around town as “Doc” Phillips, having provided eye care to the community from 1963 until 2007 when he retired. “Lloyd Phillips has been a true-blue Kiwanian for a long, long time. He is always eager to serve and help the community,” according to Eric Palmer, vice president of the club. When RAGBRAI visited Oskaloosa this summer, Phillips made his way through the masses to help sell funnel cakes to raise funds for club projects, though younger members encouraged him to “take it easy.” And you can be sure you’ll see him serving up pancakes or frying sausage at the Kiwanis Pancake Day on October 19 at Central United Methodist Church. The Pancake Day is a 60 year tradition for the club, and the only thing that has been a part of the club longer than he has. For his distinctive service, and with the admiration and gratitude of Kiwanis International, the Nebraska-Iowa District and Kiwanis Club of Oskaloosa, Lloyd K. Phillips has received the Legion of Honor award, including a 50-year pin and certificate to recognize his legacy of service.
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Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. This defining statement makes clear why Kiwanis members have served the Oskaloosa community for over 90 years.